US Navy’s LCS Wichita completes acceptance trials
The Lockheed Martin-led industry team has completed acceptance trials of Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) 13, the future USS Wichita, in the waters of Lake Michigan, the company announced on 13 July.
Wichita is the seventh Freedom-variant LCS designed and built by the Lockheed Martin team and is scheduled for delivery to the US Navy in the coming months.
Conducted from 9 to 12 July, the trials included a full-power run, manoeuvrability testing and air detect-to-engage demonstrations of the vessel’s combat system. Major systems and features demonstrations included aviation support and small boat launch handling and recovery.
The Freedom-variant LCS is a lethal and adaptable ship designed to support missions in the areas of mine countermeasures, anti-submarine warfare and surface warfare.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Havelsan sells ADVENT CMS into Chilean Navy frigates]()
Havelsan sells ADVENT CMS into Chilean Navy frigates
The system is intended to add enhanced operational precision to two ageing vessels.
-
![TKMS joins forces with Norwegian shipbuilder for Fridtjof Nansen frigate replacement bid]()
TKMS joins forces with Norwegian shipbuilder for Fridtjof Nansen frigate replacement bid
Four shipbuilders have been downselected to build the frigate replacement programme, and TKMS hopes the new deal will give it a geographical advantage.
-
![As Australian resistance rises, is AUKUS in trouble?]()
As Australian resistance rises, is AUKUS in trouble?
The tripartite submarine project is under political pressure from a grass-roots Australian Labor Party movement, but it could also have practical issues in its way.
